2012 may hit a new high in rape cases

It was in the year 2005 that Delhi earned the dubious tag of ‘rape capital’ when the number of rape cases reached a record high — 660 in a year.

The police took a number of measures and as a result the cases came down to 452 in 2009. But rape cases are again on the rise and for the first time in six years the number has crossed the 600-mark this year.

Till December 15 this year, 635 cases of rape were registered across the city and despite the fact that there are still 15 days left for the month, the number of rape cases are highest in six years.

Cases of molestation have also seen a rise as 653 cases were reported in 2011 against 601 cases in 2010.

Defending their position, the police claimed that in majority of the rape cases the victims are known to the accused and thus, it is difficult to prevent the crime.

“Another important factor about rape and molestation cases is that in most incidents, the accused are known to the victim or her family. In all the rape cases (except 14) reported in 2011, the accused were known to the victim and had committed the crime for the first time,” a senior police officer said.

Another senior officer claimed that in order to enhance confidence of the public, especially women, special measures have been introduced. “These include creation of predominantly women staffed police stations at north and south campuses and deployment of PCR vans near girls colleges,” he added.

There is also a women’s help desk at every police station and at regular intervals, the DCP — who is also the nodal officer — conducts self-defence training for women.

According to National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), in 94 per cent of the rape cases across the country, the offenders were known to the victims and 10.6 per cent rape victims were under 14 years, while 19 per cent were teenagers.